Research Resources and Workforce Development for the Rocky Mountain Regional Biocontainment Laboratory at Colorado State University

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Project Summary: The Rocky Mountain Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RMRBL) at Colorado State University (CSU) has been responsive to the national RBL mission to: 1) “Conduct research on biodefense and emerging infectious disease agents”; 2) “Be available and prepared to assist national, state, and local public health efforts in the event of a bioterrorism or infectious disease emergency” since its opening and full commissioning in 2008. Researchers at the RMRBL and their collaborators rapidly pivoted in response to the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), working on host-derived therapeutics, vaccines, and identifying other potential zoonotic reservoirs as spillover opportunities in wildlife and domestic animals. Our researchers similarly pivoted this past year to work on countermeasures in response to the re-emergence of Mpox, while also continuing to address high consequence pathogens that have chronically plagued public health systems, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of Tuberculosis. Beyond our demonstrated ability to rapidly address research and research service needs on pathogens with pandemic potential, our team contributes to training, outreach, and access of our facility via sponsored fellowships, visiting scholars’ programs, workshops, conferences, and through collaborations. Despite these gains, our RMRBL BSL3 suites are aged, requiring constant investments to maintain safe, secure and compliant BSL3 facilities. RMRBL BSL3 researchers, support staff, and biosafety professionals are vulnerable to the strain of the work environment, limited resources, funding gaps, and opportunities to engage in less risky fields equipped with cutting edge technologies. In this application, we respond to the challenges facing the RMRBL BSL3 laboratories with 3 Cores. Core 1 includes an improved management structure, systematic replacement of deprecating scientific instruments, and comprehensive and proactive maintenance of existing facilities needs to ensure compliance and continuous functioning. Operation of the RMRBL BSL3 is additionally enhanced to improve the working environment and increase consistency for operations research support and animal husbandry staff. Core 2’s initiatives seek to develop training programs responsive to adult learning and education best practices, ensuring improved safety and safety compliance in persons working in the BSL3. Biosecurity upgrades will improve the safety and security climate in anticipation of new national standards, and integration between research teams and the office of Biosafety in constructing and training in technical standard operating procedures will accelerate safe performance and technical competence. Finally, Core 3 synthesizes our research strengths to develop a uniquely qualified Biocontainment Research Resources Core, bringing together opportunities to exploit team talent and perform innovative research. Combined, our three Cores ensure that the RMRBL BSL3 facilities are always ‘warm ready’ – to face and combat the next pathogenic pandemic threat.